Cambridge Literary Festival Highlights

The spring edition of the Cambridge Literary Festival, in association with the New Statesman, is almost upon us. Here are some highlights.

Friday 13 April

Jim Crace discusses his haunting new novel The Melody with Tom Gatti, head of books and features at the NS.

Palmerston Room, 7.30pm

Saturday 14 April

Ruby Tandoh, Bake Off finalist and food writer, discusses the principles behind Eat Up!, her manifesto on the joys of eating. Chaired by Bee Wilson.

Cambridge Union Library, 11.30am

Robert Macfarlane and artist Jackie Morris talk about their collaboration The Lost Words: A Spell Book, the links between childhood and nature, and draw otters and kingfishers live on stage.

Cambridge Union Chamber, 11.30am

Joseph Jebelli, author of In Pursuit of Memory: the Fight Against Alzheimer’s, explains how scientists are battling the global epidemic of our time.

Palmerston Room, 1pm

Angela Eagle, Lisa Nandy, Maurice Glasman and Anand Menon are joined by CityMetric editor and NS writer Jonn Elledge for a briefing on all things Brexit.

Cambridge Union Chamber, 5.30pm

Sunday 15 April

The New Statesman debate, chaired by deputy editor Helen Lewis: “This house believes that the only way for more women to succeed is for more men to fail.” Speakers include the lawyer Nazir Afzal, the deputy leader of the Lib Dems Jo Swinson and the journalists and campaigners Julie Bindel and Suzanne Moore.

Cambridge Union Chamber, 4pm

Wendy Cope joins Helen Lewis to discuss her latest collection of poetry, Anecdotal Evidence: a celebration of the half-forgotten stories of our lives.

Cambridge Union Chamber, 6pm

Ed Miliband is joined by Melissa Benn for a one-off discussion of the challenges of the current political age, as well as his personal role in politics.